Air Quality Assessment by Modis Satellite Data in and Around Sandur Taluk, Bellary District, South India

Atmosphere consists of minute particles in the range of 0.1 to 1.0 micron size known as aerosols and also called as Suspended Particulate Matter (SPM). The knowledge of aerosol optical properties plays an important role in estimation of the direct aerosol forcing. The paper describes the aerosol optical thickness obtained from MODIS satellite imageries. The study focused on air pollution by mining activity in and around Sandur taluk. Due to anthropogenic and mining activities the Aerosols Optical Thickness (AOT) are more fluctuating. AOT values are obtained from MODIS at 550 nm. The Sandur taluk is more affected by Iron ore mining, leads to an environmental pollution. Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is carried out for Air pollution. In the present study the air pollution identification is done by using MODIS satellite data. Distribution of dust particles over the study area since from 2000 to 2010 is analyzed. AOT fluctuates more in the years from 2005 to 2010 which affected Sandur natural eco-system, that leads to serious natural hazards. The results shows entire study area covered by dust particles, size ranging from 0.26 to 0.74. In the year 2009, severe air pollution has been detected.